Reciprocating saw holder

ABSTRACT

A reciprocating saw includes a saw blade that is connected to a hand held driver for reciprocating the saw blade to perform a cut. A bit holder and a blade holder is used to provide connection between the saw blade and the handle of the hand held driver. The bit holder includes connecting mechanism for connecting the bit holder to the hand held driver. The blade holder provides a connection between the saw blade and the bit holder. The blade holder includes a holder body and a hex-shaped shank extending rearwardly from the holder body. The shank further includes a first holding mechanism for coupling the holder to the bit holder at the rear end and a second holding mechanism for coupling the saw blade to the holder at the forward end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/636,374, filed on Aug. 11, 2000. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to reciprocating saws,and more particularly, to quick change reciprocating saws adapted foruse in hand held drivers, within which operators are permitted topurposefully switch between several saw blades.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Portable reciprocating saws, including a variety of handsaws andthe like, have been generally known in the art for some time, handsawsbeing commonly used tools for performing a cut. Since there aredifferent types of saw blades with different sizes, the operator has tohave a number of different types of saw blades in order to perform a cuton various objects the operator may encounter. However, currentlyavailable handsaws have set blades that are cast around or fixedlyattached to the handle by other methods, thus one blade cannot beswitched to another when the operator needs different sizes or types ofsaw blades.

[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a reciprocatinghandsaw that allows the operator to easily and securably change from onesaw blade to another when performing tasks that require more than onesaw blade.

[0005] Moreover, it would be further desirable to provide areciprocating handsaw that can be attached to readily available handlesof hand held drivers which can also be interchanged with different typesof bits to perform various functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a reciprocating sawincludes a saw blade that is connected to a hand held driver forreciprocating the saw to perform a cut. A bit holder and a blade holderis used to provide connection between the saw blade and the handle ofthe hand held driver. The bit holder includes a connecting mechanism forconnecting the blade holder to the hand held driver. The blade holderprovides a connection between the saw blade and the bit holder. Theblade holder includes a holder body and a hex-shaped shank extendingrearwardly from the holder body. The shank further includes a firstholding mechanism for coupling the holder to the bit holder at the rearend and a second holding mechanism for coupling a saw blade to theholder at the forward end.

[0007] Further areas of applicability of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. Itshould be understood however that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention areintended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention will become more fully understood from thefollowing detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the reciprocating sawhaving a set screw holder design, adapted for use in a hand held driveraccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the set screw holder design,adapted for use in the reciprocating saw;

[0011]FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the cylinder, adapted for use inthe set screw holder design of the reciprocating saw;

[0012]FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the sleeve, adapted for use inthe set screw holder design of the reciprocating saw;

[0013]FIG. 3C is a sectional view of the set screw holder according to afirst embodiment of the present invention adapted for use in thereciprocating saw.

[0014]FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the set screw for use in the setscrew holder of FIG. 3C;

[0015]FIG. 3E is a perspective view of a pin for use in the set screwholder of FIG. 3C;

[0016]FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the set screw holder designaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention, adapted foruse in the reciprocating saw;

[0017]FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a set screw according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention, adapted for use in the setscrew holder design of the reciprocating saw;

[0018]FIG. 5A is a sectional view of the set screw holder designaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention, adapted foruse in the reciprocating saw;

[0019]FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a set screw having an integralpin according to a third embodiment of the present invention, adaptedfor use in the set screw holder design of the reciprocating saw;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a ball type blade holder accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention adapted for use in thereciprocating saw;

[0021]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the reciprocating sawhaving a die cast blade holder, adapted for use in the hand held driveraccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the die cast holder, adapted foruse in the reciprocating saw;

[0023]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the reciprocating sawhaving a spring clamp holder, adapted for use in a hand held driveraccording to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the spring clamp holder having aclamp assembly, adapted for use in the reciprocating saw;

[0025]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the body of the spring clampholder, adapted for use in the reciprocating saw;

[0026]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the lever of the spring clampassembly, adapted for use in the spring clamp holder of thereciprocating saw;

[0027]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pin of the spring clampassembly, adapted for use in the spring clamp holder of thereciprocating saw; and

[0028] FIGS. 14A-C are front views depicting the free, bottom, and toppositions, respectively, of the spring of the clamp assembly, adaptedfor use in the reciprocating saw according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] With reference to the drawings, one embodiment of a reciprocatingsaw 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 to generally include a saw blade 12connected to a handle 18 of a hand held driver via a set screw holder 14and a quick release bit holder 16. As is described in detail below, thesaw blade 12 is connected to the set screw holder 14 which includes aconnecting assembly at both ends to provide connection between the sawblade 12 and the bit holder 16. The bit holder 16 is coupled forrotation with the handle 18 and is configured to permit the operator toeasily and securably connect the hand held driver 18 to the saw blade 12for driving engagement in order to reciprocate the saw blade 12 toperform a cut. A preferred commercially available quick release bitholder is available under the trade name RAPID LOAD manufactured byBlack and Decker Corporation, Towson, Md. It should be appreciated thatother commercially available bit holders may also be used so long as thebit holder can permit easy and securable connection to the hand helddriver 18. In addition, a quick release bit holder of the typeillustrated herein is also more completely described in U.S. Pat. No.6,053,675, issued Apr. 24, 2000, assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication, and entitled “Quick-Acting Tool Bit Holder”, the disclosureof which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0030] As is best illustrated in FIG. 2, the set screw holder 14 isconfigured to releasably hold the saw blade 12, and is connectable tothe bit holder 16. The set screw holder 14 generally includes a cylinderportion 26 and a sleeve 24 as is best illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B,respectively. The cylinder portion 26 includes a body portion 28 and ashank 20 extending rearwardly from the rear end of the body 28 toprovide a connection between the bit holder 16 and the set screw holder14. The shank 20 is hex-shaped and includes a detent recess 22 forcoupling the set screw holder 14 to the bit holder 16. The detent recess22 of the shank 20 is engaged within the bit holder 16 in the operativeposition. An operator can pull back on the outer collar of the bitholder 16 to quickly release the shank 20 from the bit holder 16.

[0031] With reference to FIGS. 3A-B, a cylinder portion 26 and a sleeve24 of set screw holder 14 are described in more detail. FIG. 3Aillustrates the cylinder portion 26 having a body 28 and the shank 20.The body 28 includes a slot 29 extending rearwardly from a forwardcylinder face 30 to accommodate the tail of the saw blade 12. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the specific configuration mayvary to accommodate different types and sizes of saw blades 12 withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. FIG. 3B illustrates thesleeve 24 that is configured to cooperate with the outer surface of thebody 28 of cylinder portion 26. The sleeve 24 has a length that issubstantially the same as the body 28 of the cylinder portion 26, and aninner diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter ofthe body 28. The sleeve 24 further includes a smooth faced hole 25 onone side to receive a set screw 36 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3C.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 3C-3E of the drawings, the set screwholder 14 according to a first embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. The body 28 of the cylinder portion 26 includes a smoothfaced aperture 23 disposed through one side of the body which opens tothe slot 29. The cylinder 28 also includes a threaded radial aperture 27disposed on the other face of the slot 29. The aperture 23 receives apin 32 (FIGS. 3C, 3E) and the threaded radial aperture 27 receives a setscrew 36 (FIGS. 3C, 3D). The pin 32 is also received in a hole 12 a inthe tail end of the saw blade 12. The sleeve 24 is slid over the body 28of the cylinder portion 26 in order to maintain the pin 32 in theaperture 23. The set screw 36 is inserted through the hole 25 in thesleeve 24 and threadedly engaged with the threaded radial aperture 27 inthe body 28 to secure the sleeve 24 in place. The set screw 36 istightened so as to press the tail end of the saw blade 12 against a sidewall of the slot 29. The saw blade 12 may be removed from the set screwholder 14 by drawing back the set screw 36, axially sliding the sleeve24 to expose the pin 32 and removing the saw blade 12 from engagementwith the pin 32.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-B of the drawings, a set screw holder14′ according to a slightly modified second embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated wherein like reference numerals are used todesignate the same or similar elements as described above. The body 28of the cylinder portion 26′ includes a smooth-faced tapped hole 23′disposed on one face of the slot 29. The cylinder 28′ also includes athreaded radial aperture 27 disposed on the other face of the slot 29.The tapped hole 23′ receives a conical end portion 32 (best shown inFIG. 4B) of set screw 36′ and the radial aperture 27 receives a threadedportion 33 of set screw 36. The conical end portion 32 is brought intoengagement with a hole 12 a in the tail of the saw blade 12. The conicalend portion 32 is configured to abut with the hole 12 a of the saw blade12 to pinch the saw blade against the side wall of slot 29. The setscrew 36 is threaded and configured to cooperatively engage with thethreaded radial aperture 27 of the cylinder 26.

[0034] As is best illustrated in FIG. 4A, the cylinder portion 26′ isinserted into the bore 21 of the sleeve 24 which is generally circularin configuration. The cylinder portion 26′ is rotationally aligned suchthat the radial aperture 27 aligns with the smooth faced hole 25 of thesleeve 24. To engage the saw blade 12 with the set screw holder 14, theset screw 36 is inserted through the smooth hole 25 of sleeve 24 andinto the threaded aperture 27 of the cylinder portion 26 after insertionof the saw blade 12. The conical end 31 abuts the surface of theaperture 12 a. The saw blade 12 may be removed from the set screw holder14 by drawing back the set screw 36, allowing the conical end 31 todisengage from hole 12 a and removing the saw blade 12 from engagementwith the cylinder portion 26.

[0035] With reference to FIGS. 5A-B of the drawings, the set screwholder 14 according to a third embodiment of the present invention isdescribed in more detail. The body portion 28″ of the cylinder 26″includes a threaded radial aperture 27 disposed on one face of the slot29 for receiving a set screw 36″ as shown in FIG. 5B. The set screw 36″includes an integrally formed locating tip 35 having substantially thesame radius as that of the hole 12 a on the tail of the saw blade 12.The set screw 36″ also includes a threaded end 37 for engaging with thethreaded radial aperture 27 of the cylinder portion 26″. To engage thesaw blade 12 with the set screw holder 14, the cylinder portion 26″ isinserted into the bore 21 of the sleeve 24, and the cylinder portion 26is rotationally aligned so that the radial aperture 27 aligns with thesmooth faced hole 25 of the sleeve 24. The saw blade 12 is placed intothe slot 29 from the forward face 30 until the hole 12 a in the tail ofthe saw blade 12 aligns with the radial aperture 27 of the cylinder 26.The set screw 36″ is then inserted inwardly from the smooth faced hole25 of the sleeve 24. The locating tip 35 of the set screw 36″ is thenlocated in the hole 12 a of the tail of the saw blade 12 and thethreaded end 37 provides support to hold the saw blade 12 in placeagainst the side of slot 29. The saw blade 12 may be removed from theset screw holder 14 simply by unscrewing the set screw 36″, and removingthe saw blade 12 from engagement with the locating tip 35.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 6 of the drawings, a ball-type bladeholder 114 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. The ball-type blade holder 114 generally includes acylinder portion 116, and a collar 118. As described above, the cylinderportion 116 includes a hex-shaped shank 120 having a detent 122 forengaging with a bit holder 16 described above. The cylinder portion 116further includes a slot 124 extending rearwardly from the forward face126, and a radial aperture 128 extending through to one face of the slot124. A ball 130 having a slightly smaller diameter than that of theradial aperture 128 is placed in the radial aperture 128, and a portionof the ball 130 extends into the slot 124 in its engaged position. Thecollar 118 includes a chamber 132 near a rearward face of the cylinderportion 116 for accommodating a spring 134 and a spring clip 136. Collar118 also includes an enlarged inner cavity 138 for allowing radialmovement of the ball 130. The enlarged cavity 138 is configured to forma ramp 140 which terminates at an inwardly extending flange 142 of thecollar 118 when assembled in order to define a passage for the ball 130.The spring clip 136 is disposed near the rear end of the sleeve forretaining the spring 134 in the chamber 132, and the spring 134 isplaced in the passage defined by the spring clip 136 and the chamber 132for biasing the collar 118 to an engaged position.

[0037] For engaging the saw blade 12 with the ball-type blade holder114, the collar 118 is pushed rearwardly against the spring force, sothat the forward end 142 of the enlarged cavity 138 is aligned with theball 130. The ball 130 is then free to move radially outward in theenlarged cavity 138 allowing the saw blade 12 to be inserted in the slot124 of the cylinder portion 116. After the insertion of the saw blade12, the ball 130 is locked in the rear end 144 of the enlarged cavity138 with a portion of the ball 130 extending into the hole 12 a formedin saw blade 12. The extending portion of the ball 130 retains the sawblade 12 for resisting inadvertent or unintended removal of the sawblade 12 in its engaged position. The spring 134 keeps the collar 118pushed forward, and the narrow portion of the ramp 140 in the enlargedcavity 138 of collar 118 retains the ball 130 in place. Similarly, thesaw blade 12 may be removed from the ball-type blade holder 114 simplyby pulling back the collar 118 and removing the saw blade 12 since theball 130 is allowed to disengage from the hole 12 a.

[0038] Turning now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, a fifth embodiment of thereciprocating saw 50 is illustrated to generally include the saw blade12 connected to the handle 18 of the hand held driver via the bit holder16 and a die cast holder 52. The bit holder 16 and hand held driver 18are of the types described in more detail in the description of theprevious embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatother types of bit holders and hand held drivers may be used toaccommodate different types of saw blades 12 without departing from thescope of the present invention.

[0039]FIG. 8 illustrates the die cast holder 52 (with the blade 12removed for clarity) having a body 53 and a shank 20 extendingrearwardly from the body 53 to provide connection between the bit holder16 and the die cast holder 52. The shank 20 is hex-shaped and includes adetent recess 22 for releasably coupling the die cast holder 52 to thebit holder 16. The detent recess 22 permits the operator to purposefullyremove the die cast holder from its engaged position with the bit holder16. When the detent recess 22 is in the operative position, the bitholder 16 retains the detent recess 22 of the shank 20 against axialengagement. In this embodiment of the present invention, the saw blade12 is cast permanently in slot 54 which is shown in FIG. 8 wherein thesaw blade 12 has been removed for clarity. Several saw blades withdifferent sizes and types may be cast within a die cast holder 52 in onestandard die 53 having a size and weight suitable for accommodatingvarious types of saw blades 12. Thus, the die cast reciprocating saw 50allows the user to switch quickly from one saw blade to the next whenneeded.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 9, a sixth embodiment of the reciprocatingsaw 200 is illustrated to include the saw blade 12 connected to thehandle 18 of the hand held driver via the bit holder 16 and a clampholder 202. As is described in detail below with respect to FIG. 10, thetail of the saw blade 12 is connected to the forward end of the clampholder 202 with a clamp assembly 205 providing secure connection to thesaw blade 12. The rear end of the clamp holder 202 is connected to thebit holder 16 via the hex-shaped shank 20 having a detent recess 22shown in FIG. 10. The detent recess 22 permits the operator to retainthe clamp holder 202 within the bit holder 16. The bit holder 16 iscoupled to the handle 18 of the hand held driver. A more detaileddescription of the bit holder and the hand held driver are given in theaforementioned references.

[0041]FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the clamp holder 202 toinclude a body 204 and the clamp assembly 205. As briefly mentionedabove, the clamp holder 202 is configured to accommodate the saw blade12 at one end and has a shank 20 which engages the bit holder 202 at theother end. The body 204 is cast around the rearwardly extendinghex-shaped shank 20. As is described below, each side of body 204includes a pivot mount 228, a spring mount 230 and an angled slot 222for accommodating the clamp assembly 205. As is best illustrated in FIG.11, the body 204 further includes a slot 226 extending rearwardly from aforward face 224 of the body 204. The slot 226 is configured to receivethe tail of the saw blade 12. Those skilled in the art would appreciatethat the width and length of the slot 226 may be varied to accommodatevarious types of saw blades with different sizes and shape.

[0042] With reference to FIGS. 12, 13, and 14A-C, each part of the clampassembly 205 is described in detail below. The clamp assembly 205 iscoupled to the body 204 of the clamp holder 202 for movement between aclamped position and a released position for releasably coupling the sawblade 12 to the clamp holder 202. More particularly, the clamp assembly205 generally includes a lever 206, a roller 208 and a pair of biasingsprings 210.

[0043]FIG. 12 illustrates the U-shaped lever 206 of the clamp assembly205 to include a pair of opposed legs 234 having apertures 236. Each ofthe radial apertures 236 are disposed generally at the midpoint of eachof the legs, so as to provide connection between the lever 206 and thepivot mounts 228 of the body 204 of the clamp holder 202. The pair ofapertures 236 allow the lever 206 to pivot about the pivot mounts 228disposed on the body 104. The lever 206 further includes a pair ofU-shaped slots 237 formed at the tips of the legs 234. The U-shapedslots 237 permit the ends 233 of the roller 208 to easily engage withthe lever 206 by sliding into the slots 237.

[0044] Turning now to FIG. 13 of the drawings, the roller 208 isillustrated to generally include a pair of outer ends 233 integratedwith both ends of the intermediate body portion 231 having a groove 232at its midpoint. The intermediate body portion 231 has a diameterslightly less than that of the angled slots 222 so as to allow theroller 208 to ride therein, and has a width that is substantially thesame as that of the body 204 of the clamp holder 202. The outer ends 233have a smaller diameter than that of the intermediate body portion 231,and are engaged by the biasing springs 210. The groove 232 has a widththat is substantially the same as that of the slot 226, andcooperatively retains the tail of the saw blade 12.

[0045] With particular reference to FIGS. 14A-C of the drawings, thebiasing spring 210 is illustrated in detail to show three differentangular positions of the biasing spring 210 depending on the location ofthe lever 206 of the clamp assembly 205. The spring 210 includes a hookportion 238 formed at one end of the coiled portion 242, and a loopedportion 240 formed at the other end of the coiled portion 242. Thelooped portion 238 is secured over the spring mount 230 formed on thebody 204. The looped portion 240 is secured over the outer ends 233 ofthe roller 208 for biasing the roller 208 toward a forward engagedposition within the angled slot 222.

[0046]FIG. 14A shows the biasing spring 210 in its free position. FIG.14B shows the biasing spring 210 in its mounted position within whichthe looped portion 240 presses the roller 208 in a forward directionalong the angled slots 222. In this embodiment, a spring force ofapproximately 8 Newton (N) is applied to the looped portion 240, and thelooped portion 240 is shifted inwardly about 67.2 degrees from its freeposition (shown in phantom). FIG. 14C shows the biasing spring 210 inits rearward released position within which the looped portion 240 ispressed rearwardly by pivoting the upper portion of lever 106 forward.In this embodiment, a force of approximately 12.5 Newton (N) is appliedto the looped portion 240, and the looped portion 240 is shiftedinwardly about 97.6 degrees from its free position (shown in phantom).Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the force and the angledescribed above may be varied to accommodate different types of biasingsprings and different types of saw blades.

[0047] Referring now back to FIG. 10 of the drawings, the clamp assembly205 is coupled to the body 204 of the clamp holder 202 for movementbetween a clamped position and a released (free) position for releasablycoupling the saw blade 12 to the clamp holder 202. The roller 208 isbiased by the pair of springs 210 via the lever 206 to engage the bottomsurface of the tail of the saw blade 12. The roller 208 in associationwith the biasing spring 210 and the lever 206, urges the tail of the sawblade 12 against the upper surface of slot 226 of the body 204 when theclamp assembly 205 is in its engaged position. More particularly, theroller 208 rides in the, angled slots 222 in the body 204 such that thegroove 232 in the roller 208 clamps the saw blade 12 to the clamp holder202. The operator can move the roller 208 to its disengaged positionthrough forward pivoting movement of the upper portion of lever 206about the first mount 228. As the lever 206 is pressed forward, the legs234 of the lever 206 move rearwardly along with roller 208. As roller208 moves along angled slots 222, the roller 208 disengages from thetail of the saw blade 12.

[0048] From the above description, it should be appreciated that thereciprocating saw 10, 50, 114, and 200 of the present invention isadapted for use in association with the hand held driver 18. Inaddition, the various embodiments of the set screw holder 14, theball-type holder 114, the die cast holder 52, and the clamp holder 202are configured to easily and securably switch saw blades fromapplication to application. Therefore, the present invention would allowthe operator to be more versatile on the job site when more than onehandsaw is needed.

[0049] The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplaryembodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art willreadily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanyingdrawings and claims, that various, changes, modifications and variationscan be made therein without departing the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reciprocating saw comprising: a hand helddriver; a bit holder connected to the hand held driver; a saw blade; anda blade holder for providing connection between the saw blade and thebit holder, the blade holder having a holder body adapted for providingconnection to the saw blade at the forward end of the blade holder, anda shank extending rearwardly from the holder body for coupling the bladeholder to the bit holder at the rear end.
 2. The reciprocating saw ofclaim 1, wherein the holder body includes: a cylinder for connecting theholder to the saw blade; and a sleeve having a circular aperture on oneside for receiving a set screw therethrough for retaining the saw bladein place.
 3. The reciprocating saw of claim 2, wherein the cylinderfurther comprises: a slot extending from a forward face of said cylinderfor accommodating the saw blade; and a threaded aperture disposed insaid cylinder on one face of the slot for accommodating said set screwfor coupling the blade holder to the saw blade, the threaded aperturebeing aligned with the circular aperture of the sleeve when assembled.4. The reciprocating saw of claim 3, wherein the cylinder furtherincludes a hole disposed on an opposite face of the slot, aligned withthe threaded aperture, for receiving a set pin.
 5. The reciprocating sawof claim 4, wherein the set pin disposed in the hole engages with theset screw, the set screw being cooperatively inserted into the threadedaperture so as to retain the saw blade in the slot of the cylinder. 6.The reciprocating saw of claim 3, wherein a locating pin is integrallyformed with the set screw, the locating pin being configured to bereceived within a hole provided in said saw blade.
 7. The reciprocatingsaw of claim 1, wherein the holder body includes a cylinder having aslot for receiving a saw blade therein and a collar slidably disposed onsaid cylinder, said collar having an internal ramp surface which isengaged by a ball disposed in an aperture in one side of said cylinder,said ball being forced by said ramp surface toward said slot in itsengaged position for engaging said saw blade in said slot.
 8. Thereciprocating saw of claim 7, wherein said collar is slidable against abiasing force to allow the ramp surface of said collar to disengage saidball and allow the saw blade to be removed.
 9. The reciprocating saw ofclaim 8, wherein a spring is placed in a chamber defined by the collarfor biasing the collar to an engaged position.
 10. The reciprocating sawof claim 1, wherein the holder body further includes a cylinder forconnecting the holder to the saw blade.
 11. The reciprocating saw ofclaim 1, wherein the blade holder is cast around the tail of the sawblade.
 12. The reciprocating saw of claim 1, wherein the blade holderfurther comprises a clamp assembly being coupled to the holder body formovement between first and second positions for releasably coupling thesaw blade to the holder.
 13. The reciprocating saw of claim 12, whereinthe holder body includes a pair of angled guide slots in opposite sidesof the holder body, a pair of pivot mounts and a pair of spring mountson said sides of the holder body, and a slot extending rearwardly fromthe forward end of said holder body for receiving a tail of the sawblade, said clamp assembly includes a roller inserted into the pair ofangled slots of the holder body, a lever having a pair of legs pivotallymounted to said pair of pivot mounts and connected to ends of saidroller, and a pair of springs mounted to said pair of spring mounts forbiasing the roller toward an engaged position for engaging said tail ofsaid saw blade, said roller being movable along said angled slots to adisengaged position for disengaging the saw blade when said lever ofsaid clamp assembly is pushed toward a disengaged position.
 14. Areciprocating saw comprising: a hand held driver; a bit holder coupledwith the hand held driver; a blade holder including a cylinder having ashank extending rearwardly from a rear end of said cylinder forproviding a connection to the bit holder, a slot extending rearwardlyfrom a forward end of said cylinder, and a threaded aperture disposed ona side of said slot for accommodating a set screw therein; a saw bladehaving a tail disposed in said slot; a sleeve configured to cooperatewith the outer surface of the cylinder, the sleeve having a circularaperture on one side, the circular aperture being aligned with thethreaded aperture of said cylinder when assembled in order to receivesaid set screw, and wherein the saw blade is secured in said cylinder bysaid set screw.
 15. The reciprocating saw according to claim 14, whereinsaid shank of said blade holder is provided with at least one flat sidesurface.
 16. The reciprocating saw according to claim 14, wherein saidshank of said blade holder is provided with a detent recess.
 17. Thereciprocating saw according to claim 14, wherein said set screw has aconical end portion for engaging said saw blade.
 18. The reciprocatingsaw according to claim 14, wherein said set screw includes an integrallyformed set pin in an end thereof for engaging said saw blade.
 19. Thereciprocating saw according to claim 14, wherein said cylinder furtherincludes a bore opposite said threaded aperture for receiving a set pintherein, said set pin being received in a hold in said saw blade.
 20. Areciprocating saw comprising: a hand held driver; a bit holder coupledwith the hand held driver; and a blade holder cast around a saw blade ata forward end of the blade holder and having a shank extendingrearwardly therefrom for releasably coupling said blade holder to saidbit holder.
 21. The reciprocating saw according to claim 20, whereinsaid shank includes at least one flat side surface.
 22. Thereciprocating saw according to claim 20, wherein said shank includes adetent recess.
 23. A reciprocating saw comprising: a hand held driver; abit holder coupled with the hand held driver; a blade holder having ashank extending rearwardly for providing connection to said bit holder,and a slot extending rearwardly from the forward face; a saw bladehaving a tail end removably engaged with said slot; and a clamp assemblycoupled to the blade holder for movement between first and secondpositions for releasably coupling said saw blade to the blade holder.24. The reciprocating saw of claim 23, wherein the blade holder furthercomprises: a pair of angled slots on opposite sides of said bladeholder; a first pair of pivot mounts on opposite sides of said bladeholder; and a second pair of spring mounts on opposite sides of saidblade holder.
 25. The reciprocating saw of claim 24, wherein the clampassembly further comprises: a roller inserted into said pair of slots ofsaid blade holder; a lever having a pair of legs connected to ends ofsaid pin and pivotally mounted to said pair of pivot mounts of saidblade holder; and a pair of springs connected to said pair of springmounts and biasing the roller in engagement with a pair of tail of saidsaw blade when the clamp assembly is in a first position and disengagingthe saw blade from the blade holder when the clamp assembly is in asecond position.
 26. A blade holder for providing connection between asaw blade and a bit holder, comprising: a holder body adapted forproviding connection to the saw blade at the forward end of the bladeholder; and a hex-shaped shank extending rearwardly from the holder bodyfor coupling the blade holder to the bit holder.
 27. The blade holder ofclaim 26, wherein said holder body includes: a cylinder for connectingthe holder to the saw blade; and a sleeve having a circular aperture onone side for receiving a set screw therethrough for retaining the sawblade in place.
 28. The blade holder of claim 27, wherein the cylinderfurther comprises: a slot extending from a forward face of said cylinderfor accommodating the saw blade; and a threaded aperture disposed insaid cylinder on one face of the slot for accommodating said set screwfor coupling the blade holder to the saw blade, the threaded aperturebeing aligned with the circular aperture of the sleeve when assembled.29. The blade holder of claim 28, wherein the cylinder further includesa hole disposed on an opposite face of the slot, aligned with thethreaded aperture, for receiving a set pin.
 30. The blade holder ofclaim 29, wherein the set pin disposed in the hole engages with the setscrew, the set screw being cooperatively inserted into the threadedaperture so as to retain the saw blade in the slot of the cylinder. 31.The blade holder of claim 28, wherein a locating pin is integrallyformed with the set screw, the locating pin being configured to bereceived within a hole provided in said saw blade.
 32. The blade holderof claim 26, wherein the holder body includes a cylinder having a slotfor receiving a saw blade therein and a collar slidably disposed on saidcylinder, said collar having an internal ramp surface which is engagedby a ball disposed in an aperture in one side of said cylinder, saidball being forced by said ramp surface toward said slot in its engagedposition for engaging said saw blade in said slot.
 33. The blade holderof claim 32, wherein said collar is slidable against a biasing force toallow the ramp surface of said collar to disengage said ball and allowthe saw blade to be removed.
 34. The blade holder of claim 33, wherein aspring is placed in a chamber defined by the collar for biasing thecollar to an engaged position.
 35. The blade holder of claim 26, whereinthe holder body further includes a cylinder for connecting the holder tothe saw blade.
 36. The blade holder of claim 26, wherein the bladeholder is cast around a tail of the saw blade.
 37. The reciprocating sawof claim 26, wherein the blade holder further comprises a clamp assemblybeing coupled to the holder body for movement between first and secondpositions for releasably coupling the saw blade to the holder.
 38. Theblade holder of claim 37, wherein the holder body includes a pair ofangled guide slots in opposite sides of the holder body, a pair of pivotmounts and a pair of spring mounts on said sides of the holder body, anda slot extending rearwardly from the forward end of said holder body forreceiving a tail of the saw blade, said clamp assembly includes a rollerinserted into the pair of angled slots of the holder body, a leverhaving a pair of legs pivotally mounted to said pair of pivot mounts andconnected to ends of said roller, and a pair of springs mounted to saidpair of spring mounts for biasing the roller toward an engaged positionfor engaging said tail of said saw blade, said roller being movablealong said angled slots to a disengaged position for disengaging the sawblade when said lever of said clamp assembly is pushed toward adisengaged position.